How does Sodium acetate react with water?

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SUMMARY

Sodium acetate (CH3COONa) undergoes hydrolysis when dissolved in water, resulting in the formation of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and hydroxide ions (OH-). This reaction can be represented by the equation CH3COO- + H2O ↔ CH3COOH + OH-. Even a 0.01M solution of sodium acetate yields a pH of 8.4, indicating that it can create an alkaline solution without requiring high concentrations. Understanding this reaction is essential for grasping Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory.

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Saba
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TL;DR
When sodium acetate CH3COONa reacts with water does it form hydroxide ions, leaving the neutralised solution alklain?
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Removes a 'proton' from the water molecule. You might think of it like, CH3COO-is the anion of a weak acid and Na+ is the cation of a strong base. Sodium acetate dissolved in water would if conc. is high enough, make the solution alkaline.
 
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Congratulations, you just discovered process of hydrolysis :wink:

Yes, that's what is happening:

CH3COO- + H2O ↔ CH3COOH + OH-

You might want to read on Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory, this reaction is an important part of it.
 
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symbolipoint said:
Sodium acetate dissolved in water would if conc. is high enough, make the solution alkaline.

0.01M solution of sodium acetate has a calculated pH of 8.4, you don't need high concentrations for the effect to be easily observable.
 
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Borek said:
0.01M solution of sodium acetate has a calculated pH of 8.4, you don't need high concentrations for the effect to be easily observable.
Some fading of precise knowledge has been happening the last several years. (That is, in my knowledge)
 

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